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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 47213, member: 636"]
Chelsea defeated Benfica 4-1 after a marathon match at the Club World Cup on Saturday. The contest lasted almost five hours because of a severe weather delay in Charlotte, North Carolina. Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored extra-time goals for the London team. The victory sends Chelsea to the quarter-finals against Brazilian club Palmeiras. Manager Enzo Maresca criticized the lengthy delay that disrupted the game flow.

Reece James gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead with four minutes left in regular time. A thunderstorm forced officials to stop play for nearly two hours. Angel Di Maria scored a penalty kick for Benfica after play resumed to force extra time. The Portuguese team played with ten men after Gianluca Prestianni received a red card. Chelsea dominated the additional periods and scored three unanswered goals.

Palmeiras earned their quarter-final spot with a 1-0 win over Botafogo earlier Saturday. Substitute Paulinho scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute of play. The Brazilian winger came off the bench and found space inside the penalty area. He beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to the far corner. Palmeiras held their lead despite losing captain Gustavo Gomez to a late red card.

The quarter-final match takes place Friday in Philadelphia. Palmeiras won the Copa Libertadores trophy in 2020 and 2021. Chelsea must travel back to Philadelphia where they played two group stage games. The winner advances to the Club World Cup semi-finals.
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